OpenDataForge

OpenDataForge is a collection of proprietary tools for transforming data. At the time of writing, three tools are available:

SledgeHammer can be used for migrating data from formats like Stata, SPSS and SAS into fixed-length field or delimited text files, including CSV. It can also generate DDI Codebook and LifeCycle metadata, Triple-S interchange files, summary statistics, and scripts for importing the ASCII data files into various statistical packages and databases.

Caelum generates HTML and PDF reports from XML files using XSLT.

Asmurex takes a multi-record fixed-length field text file and from it generates a separate file for each record type.

Provider

The tools are developed by MTNA (Metadata Technology North America), a commercial company that provides consulting, training and technology supporting the SDMX and DDI standards.

Licensing and cost

The Community Edition of SledgeHammer is free, but is limited to 100 variables and 1000 records per dataset. The Registered Edition is free in exchange for registration information, and is limited to 500 variables and 5000 records per dataset. The Professional Edition has extra features and no limits on the variables or records per dataset; a subscription costs $29 for 3 months or $99 for one year at the time of writing, while a perpetual licence costs $279.

Asmurex can only read fixed-length field ASCII data files, but can output to both this format and to CSV. It assumes the first field represents the record type as it does, for example, in the Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS) files published by the US Census Bureau.

Documentation and user support

Peer support for all OpenDataForge tools may be sought from the OpenMetadata Google Group. Commercial support is available for the Professional and Enterprise editions of SledgeHammer.